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 “Easy,” I said. “Play Tustin Ranch.” The next day my friend called back and was overflowing with enthusiasm. “Great choice. The course was in fabulous shape,” he said. “I can’t imagine Augusta being any greener.” Apparently there is an upside to the 30 inches or more of rainfall we’ve had this season. OUT TO DRY: After hearing that, I decided to check with area golf course officials to see how the rain has affected their bottom lines and course conditions. “Aside from the lost revenue in January and February, the rain was terrific for the course,” said James Spadoni, director of golf at Tustin Ranch. “A lot of us in Orange County use potable water for irrigation, and that water has a lot of salt in it. The rains washed away a lot of it and right now we’re as green as we’ve ever been.” While everyone lamented lost revenue that might never be replaced, most were encouraged about the immediate future. “I’m anticipating a great spring and even better summer,” said Eric Lohman, general manager at Black Gold Golf Course in Yorba Linda. “Not only did those 3- and 4-inch storms flush out the bad stuff in our soils, but all that rain is going to cause an explosion of wildflower color with the native scrub and local environments really benefiting.’ The 36-hole Green River Golf Club in Corona had about 1 million cubic feet of soil wash down the Santa Ana River in January and lost about 40 trees. The course was shut down for about two weeks before officials cobbled together holes from both courses to get players back out as quickly as possible. “Golfers were playing parts of the Riverside course and the Orange County course to make up 18 holes soon after the big rains,” said head professional Roger Teel. “But we had 27 holes open in March and expect all 36 to be soon. Lost Canyons in Simi Valley, which was forced to shut down its Sky Course for much of 2004 because of wildfires, is again down to one course because of rain damage. The 18 holes open for play at the 36-hole facility are a combination from the Sky and Shadow courses. I’ve played more than 20 rounds at Lost Canyon, evenly split between the two courses, so a little bit of this and a little bit of that sounds like fun. If you haven’t already done so this spring, make a tee time at your favorite golf course, and be sure to stop and smell the roses or whatever else is popping up thanks to the winter rains. A GIRL FOR EVERY GOLFER: Somebody had to cover the Playboy Scramble last month at Industry Hills Golf Club. It might as well have been me. “Pace yourself,” event chairman Tom Carmody advised me when I arrived. “Over the next three days there will be lots of booze, lots of girls and lots of fun. Don’t try and jam it all into the first day.” Carmody’s advice may have come a little too late for some golfers. More than a few were a little green around the gills before the first round because of the previous night’s cocktail party at the Playboy Mansion where it apparently was bathing suit optional in the pool. At least that’s what Arik Nordby told me. My wife wouldn’t let me go. I ran into Nordby, who made the trip from Minneapolis, on the range where he was taking a few practice swings while wearing a maroon, silk smoking jacket (a tee prize) and BogeyPro golf hat. The attire seemed perfect for a tournament where golf is likely an afterthought. If the Playboy Bunnies at the Playboy Mansion look anything like the Girls of Golf, it must have been a beautiful party. The Girls of Golf are lovely, um, helpers at every regional Playboy Scramble. After the tournaments, golfers vote on which girl they liked best, with the winner earning a trip to the finals. Two of her girlfriends are allowed to come along for the ride. Golfers don’t actually have to win a regional event to get to the finals. All they have to do is pay the $4,000 entry fee, which includes the welcoming party at the Playboy Mansion, a pool party the following night at the Roosevelt Hotel and another bash after the final round back at the Playboy Mansion, where Hef holds court. Who won? Who cares? If this sounds like your kind of tournament, visit www.playboygolf.com for details on how to enter the 2006 Playboy Scramble. n Eric Tracy is aka The Mulligan Man. If you have questions or comments, contact him at Eric@TheMulliganMan.com |
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